DR Congo fans at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa | Enlarge

The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced its intention to bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.

Despite having twice won the trophy, the vast country has never staged the continent's greatest sporting event.

"I handed the dossier to the Congolese federation which has already sent it to the Confederation of African Football," said sports minister Baudouin Banza Mukalay Nsungu.

DR Congo joins five other nations to have expressed an interest in hosting.

Nigeria, the country whose football team won its third Nations Cup title on Sunday, said it would bid for the tournament last September, while Liberia, Kenya, Zambia and Algeria have also indicated a keenness.

One of the biggest countries by landmass in Africa, DR Congo has security concerns in the east - a factor that Nsungu was quick to downplay.

"Don't exaggerate the security situation," he told BBC Sport.

"Even in countries where people are being kidnapped and where attacks are happening, such competitions are being organised."